清十八世紀 犀角雕「路路連科」圖盃

meticulously carved in the form of a furled lotus leaf, the undercut handle formed on one side in openwork with intertwining stems issuing lotus buds, pods and leaves enveloping the vessel, the exterior carved with several egrets in flight and perched on the undulating stems, the horn of a warm dark brown tone lightening around the rim, the interior accentuated with veins, wood stand

An approx. 1.5cm section of the stem at the foot at the foot has been broken off and lost. A 1.5 cm area at the reverse has been cracked. There are age cracks to the foot on three of the stems. There are minor chips to the birds below the rim. Other surface wear and shallow chips at the mouthrim.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

本犀盃雕荷蓮白鷺景。花蓮葉卷，白鷺各相，自然生動，刀法嫻熟，寓意吉祥。鷺生白羽，古意壽長，巧配蓮、蘆，齊寓「路路連科」。

可參考一相類盃例，劉木蘭舊藏，錄於霍滿棠，《中國犀角雕刻珍賞》，香港，1999年，圖版113。另見一例，雕瑞鳥紋，售於倫敦蘇富比1988年5月13日，編號491。亦見一例，藏荷蘭國立民族學博物館，載於 Jan Chapman，《中國的犀牛角雕刻藝術》，倫敦，1999年，圖版83。再見一例，售於倫敦蘇富比1988年5月13日，編號485。